Sly's Panthers

[sly]

As promised. Pics of the 88 with the lower moldings replaced (put back on).

Driver side:


Passenger side:


And new signs in the rear glass:

[79lincolnlover]

Rear glass signs FTW.

[sly]

the vic is still with Scott... looking forward to updates and getting it back all upgraded and nice.

took the push bar off the GM for the wife to drive and I'm driving the Mark until we get the vic back.

[79lincolnlover]

What's on the work order for Scott?

[sly]

used PI 4.6L swap since it's cheaper than trying to rebuild the engine that's in the car now (pics of the worn out and damaged head/valves attached). Also, upgraded torque converter while the engine's out, 3.55s and clutch pack, power steering pump and hoses, possibly motor mounts. It may also need the rotors turned and new pads on the rear... but that's cake in comparison with the rest. He's also looking into the possibility of an OBDII swap for tune-ability.

[sly]

and now the Mark is leaking gear oil out of the right side of the axle. It's under warranty though, so the shop that did it, gets to do it again.

[sly]

now I'll need to get some oil crumbs for the garage...

[85crownHPP]

did they just replace the seal when it needed an axle and bearing too?

[sly]

nope... bearings and seals the last time... also brake cylinders and shoes. Looks like the pothole I hit under load kinda knocked something loose. I'll find out tomorrow or tuesday.

[sly]

correction: the 88's AC was just a little low... due to the fact that I didn't fully fill it. I did use some r134a w/uv leak detector though... just in case there is a leak.

[Lincolnmania]

that may be an axle.......did they use the repair bearing last time? they suck and leak

you can get new dorman axles from autozone if need be mang

[gadget73]

yeah we tried the repair bearings on my car. It leaked after a couple weeks. Tried again, and it leaked almost immediately. Gave in and replaced the axles, and put in standard bearings and seals. No more noise, no more leaks. Buying a pair of axles for $200 kind of sucked though, but now knowing that these axles can actually snap without much warning, it seems like money well spent.

[sly]

nope... axles were fine last time and they just used new bearings and seals. Looks like it just popped a seal since I drove it around 100 miles on that with zero vibration. I'm thinking the extreme heat down here might have expanded the fluid a bit much since it was a rather cool november when it was fixed last. It's all under warranty though... so I'm not out of pocket anything.

[gadget73]

oh, hey, you have a mark VI. Is there a bezel or some sort of insert behind the premium sound knob? I put mine in over the weekend, and it just seems like there ought to be something else in there. I can see the nut on the switch that holds it to the dash frame. Seems to me that ought not be visible but I'm not totally sure. I'm thinking it should have a trim ring like the headlight knob has.


oh and make sure the axle tube vent isn't clogged up. They often get gloobered up with dirt and oil sludge over the years. Its the thimble looking thing sticking out of the axle tube, think its on the driver's side.

[sly]

it has a screw down second knob that works as the nut on the trim side. Other nuts should be on the other side to support the premium sound switch. Then the normal knob to pull the switch out.

I tossed mine out since all the factory stuff was screwed up in some way or another and only kept the knob with the set screw in it that fits the headlight rods in the boxes. There should also be an insert and such that's part of the radio tray.

I'll check that vent when I pick up the car.

Update on the Mark: The bearing seems to have pushed out the seal. They've not yet had a chance to get it on a lift yet, so they'll know more tomorrow once they get it up in the air and pull the axle out. need to see if it's a defective bearing or the axle shaft has an issue.